Police are investigating both incidents, which the charity – which counts Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall and Paralympic swimming champion Josef Craig among its patrons – believes has cost them at least £500.

Deborah Roberts, the manager and co-founder of Cancer Connections, said: “The alarm system appears to have deterred them in the end, because the sensors went off.

“Even though nothing was taken, this is just causing so much havoc for us and taking our attention away from important areas.

“We’re having to use money that should be spent on cancer patients on things like replacing glass and on security.

Whoever did this is despicable

Deborah Roberts

“We think the incidents have cost us about £500 overall, which might not sound like a great deal, but when you think about what that could do for cancer patients, it’s sickening.”

She added: “Whoever did this is despicable.

“They clearly haven’t been affected by cancer, or they wouldn’t be doing this and targeting a charity like ours.

“Hopefully they never need our services, but if they ever do, hopefully it will prick their conscience.

Deborah Roberts has hit out at the would-be burglars.

“We work hard enough without having to deal with incidents like this.

“It’s so distruptive to the work we’re doing.”

The first incident took place at some point between December 16 and 19, and saw the window of the bathroom at the property smashed, before the burglars were disturbed and made off before they could get in.

The charity was then targeted again at about 12.30am today, when the alarm fitted at the building went off after the front door was smashed.

The damage caused in the second break-in at Cancer Connections.

Cancer Connections supports cancer patients and their families, and offers services including councilling and other therapies.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Police are carrying out enquiries after a burglary at Cancer Connections, in Harton Lane, South Shields.